Project Intern – Statewide Needs Assessment

Harm Reduction Coalition is a national advocacy and capacity-building organization that promotes the health and dignity of individuals and communities impacted by drug use. We encourage people who use (or used to use) drugs, current or former sex workers, people of color, women, members from the LGBTQIA communities, those who have experienced housing insecurity, people who have received harm
reduction services, and people living with HIV/AIDS and/or hepatitis C to join our team.

Purpose: The Harm Reduction Coalition seeks a Project Intern to support a statewide community needs assessment of syringe exchange programs (SEPs) in California.Description: To guide the expansion of capacity building, training, and policy/advocacy activities in California, the Harm Reduction Coalition will conduct a statewide community needs assessment of staff and participants of SEPs in California. The project will include a combination of strategies to assess need and priorities among 42 different sites, including regional listening sessions, interviews and surveys with SEP staff, and focus groups with people who use drugs (PWUD). The project intern will be responsible for supporting the coordination of regional listening sessions, conducting telephone interviews, coordinating surveys among program staff, and working as part of a team to review the findings. The project will result in a report, The State of Syringe Exchange in California, and interns will be included as authors.

Primary Responsibilities:

Conduct telephone interviews with key staff members of SEPs in California, including the coordination of interview schedules, recording and transcribing of interviews, and follow up with interviewees

Coordinate surveys among program staff of SEPs in California, including the promotion of surveys and follow up to ensure completion

Coordinate logistics related to the preparation of regional listening sessions and focus group sessions

Participate in conversations related to analyzing the results from the needs assessment findings and preparation of the report

Other duties as needed

Required Skills:

An interest and commitment to improving the health and wellness of people who use drugs in California; familiarity with harm reduction and syringe exchange programs a plus

Self-starters with an interest in HIV, hepatitis C, overdose, and/or other topics related to drug use

Excellent written and communication skills; ability to be flexible and collaborative with the work schedules of community partners

Organized and detail-oriented

APPLICATION DEADLINE: September 25th, 2017

Satisfaction of academic requirements: If you plan to fulfill the requirements of your specific academic program, please state the scope of work (topics), supervisory requirements, and anticipated hours in your cover letter.Travel: No travel required except to and from the Oakland office – opportunities to participate in activities requiring travel will be fully funded and contingent on interns availability.

Application Instructions:

Submit a brief cover letter (1 page maximum) and current resume/CV outlining your interest in the position, experience or interest in harm reduction, and any supervisory requirements as Word or PDF documents with your name on each file.